Pritzker Reiterates No High School Football This Fall In Illinois

ILLINOIS — While bordering Midwest states are allowing high school football to be played this fall, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said again Tuesday that Illinois is not ready for a return to the gridiron. In July, Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health classified football, among other sports, as higher risk for the coronavirus. As a result, the Illinois High School Association postponed the fall season and pushed it back to the spring.

"We have the lowest positivity rate in the Midwest. [It's] still too high," Pritzker said during a press conference on small business when asked about high school football being played in other Midwest states. "The states you are talking about all have very high positivity rates, double-digit positivity rates in most. If they've decided to endanger children and families in those states by allowing certain contact sports to take place, that is their decision. It's not something that is good for the families and the children of Illinois."

Pritzker is facing mounting pressure from coaches, parents and players to resume football activities. Two rallies, organized by Let Us Play High School Sports Illinois, are scheduled for Saturday. The group, according to its Facebook page is asking the governor to immediately allow resumption of high school sports that have been canceled for the fall.

The rallies, which are scheduled to run consecutively, are set for 10-11 a.m. at the James Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago, and 1-2 p.m. at the State Capitol Building, Capitol Avenue and Second Street, Springfield. Organizers are asking those planning to attend to wear a mask, support the efforts by sporting school colors and bring signage to support the cause.

After Pritzker introduced the new guidelines in July, the IHSA decided to move football, boys soccer and girls volleyball from the fall season to spring 2021. Last Friday, IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said he sent a letter seeking permission for the IHSA and its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.

"Doctors and researchers have found that sports, particularly high school and college sports, without the proper mitigations and without prevention are dangerous," Pritzker said Tuesday. "I'm not willing to sacrifice people's lives or their health."

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